Evaluating novel and conventional cell-separation techniques for sexual assault investigations.

ABSTRACT: Biological evidence from sexual assaults frequently includes few male cells (i.e., spermatozoa) and numerous female cells (i.e., epithelial cells). In practice, their genetic analysis typically involves separating the victim's cells from the perpetrator's sperm using conventional differential extraction or advanced cell enrichment/capturing techniques. A descriptive study on simulated sexual assault samples was carried out by the recruitment of 10 heterosexual, monogamous couples. Post-coital swabs were collected before and after consensual sexual intercourse, with a sampling period of up to 96 h, and subjected to analysis to detect, quantify, and genotype adhering sperm by three distinct cell-separation techniques: differential extraction, laser capture microdissection, and DEPArray™. Met

SUBMITTER: Schulte J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12424101 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature